The Israeli government has issued a warning to increase “targeted strikes” on Gaza unless Hamas takes action to prevent the use of kites by Palestinians, including children, that are being flown towards Israel.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in a statement shared on social media platform X, stated that he and Defence Minister Israel Katz conducted a “situational assessment” on Sunday evening to address the “threat of drones, balloons, and kites being launched from the Gaza Strip towards Israel.”
The meeting was attended by Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir, chief of the general staff, the head of the National Security Council, and senior officials of the Israel Defence Forces (IDF).
Netanyahu emphasized that Israel has cautioned Hamas that if the launches do not stop immediately, “the IDF will escalate targeted strikes against those responsible for the launches and will evacuate the population from areas used as launch sites for kites, drones, and balloons.”
“Israel will not tolerate the Hamas terrorist organization or any other entity in the Gaza Strip endangering our communities and compromising our citizens’ sense of security,” Netanyahu asserted.
However, for 13-year-old Omar Halawa, flying kites along the shore in Khan Younis serves as a brief escape amidst the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
Omar expressed, “We fly kites to lift our spirits. There is very little left in Gaza that brings us joy.”
He mentioned that he personally constructs kites, adding the fringes and tail himself. Despite being aware of Netanyahu’s warnings against kite flying, Omar emphasized, “We are children and do not engage in violent activities. We just want to live.”
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Prior to the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, Israel reported incidents where burning kites and balloons were launched from Gaza, causing fires and damages. Israeli authorities have recently discovered several kites near a kibbutz close to Gaza, without any weapons or hazardous materials attached.
Netanyahu’s announcement coincides with Israeli strikes and tank fire that resulted in the death of at least four individuals, including two children, according to hospital reports. These strikes targeted the Bureij and Shati refugee camps, Khan Younis, and a tent in Deir al-Balah, leading to casualties among both children and adults.
The October 7 attack on Israel resulted in casualties and hostages, with Israeli retaliation in Gaza claiming numerous Palestinian lives. The enclave’s Health Ministry reported over 73,422 Palestinian fatalities due to Israeli airstrikes following a ceasefire in October, with at least
